Page 13 of Among Friends

“Oh, this works.” I closed my eyes and sank further into the sensations of him behind me, warm and urgent. His woodsy scent was stronger like this, and the faint tickle of his body hair revved my nerve endings even higher. He lightly nipped at my shoulder blades as he held me tightly.

“Yeah it does.” Groaning, he moved faster against me, grip tightening on my cock.

“I’m not going to last,” I warned. It had been too long since I’d done this myself, let alone with another person, and much as I wanted to go all night, my body had other ideas.

“It’s okay, baby.” Tate licked my spine. “Go fast, then slow later.”

“Later.” I breathed the word like a promise. “I’m… Tate.”

Being this close to the edge, sharp and unknown, was scary and intense. Pleasure washed over me, and I shuddered hard.

“That’s it. You’re so perfect.” Tate kissed every bit of my back he could reach, reassuring me with his touch as much as his voice. “Tighten your legs for me. That’s it.”

“Are you…?” I trailed off as another wave of good feelings carried me higher. I wanted him to come too, preferably first, but I was already right there. My whole body tensed, ready, but not quite?—

“Come on, Tenn. Come.”

“Yes. Oh. Yes. God.” That was exactly what I’d needed—his command, permission to shut off my always-thinking brain and come in gloriously abundant spurts all over his fist and my stomach. My brain short-circuited, and all I knew was pleasure, overwhelming pleasure. And Tate. He surrounded me, turning all those scary feelings into something warm and wonderful. I came so much that I was still cresting as he sped up, thrusting hard and fast against me, grunting softly.

“Me too. Me too.” He groaned loudly a final time as he came, hot and sticky between my legs.

The mess should have been slightly off-putting, but it wasn’t at all. Made me want to experience that inside of me sometime soon as well. But like he’d said, we had time.

All the time in the world, hopefully. I stretched, content, as Tate fetched a small towel from the nearby bathroom. He cleaned us both up before cuddling back in.

“Now what?” I whispered. Was I supposed to say good night? Ask him if he’d brought a toothbrush?

Before I could let my brain get out of control again, however, the animals both wandered in. First, Clifford jumped onto the foot of the bed, and then Mouse came and delicately arranged herself under the nightstand.

“Well, Mouse clearly thinks she’s in for the night, but in a minute, I’ll find pants and take her to the backyard so she doesn’t wake us at five.” Tate gave my neck a friendly lick. “Okay with us staying over?”

Ah.That. That was what came next, and I liked it. Easy and wonderful, like everything else with Tate.

“Please.” I smiled up at him as he hefted himself upright.

“Good.” He bent to kiss my mouth. Lust momentarily dampened, the kiss was more affectionate, but I reveled in its quiet familiarity. “In the morning, I’ll make you coffee. Send you off to save the world with a smile.”

“You’re already the perfect boyfriend.” I smiled so hard I had to be almost literally glowing.

“Yep.” Tate laughed before he sobered. “In all seriousness, I’m not perfect. I’m messy. I can be bossy.”

“You think?” Sitting up beside him, I dropped a kiss on his bare shoulder. “I should have said that you’re perfect forme. Because I know you’re not some fantasy dude dreamed up by an algorithm. You’re Tate, my best friend. And you’re the perfect boyfriend for me.”

“Awww.” Tate’s features went soft with more emotion than I could remember ever seeing in his dark eyes. “You too, Tenn. You too.”

“Me?” I knew Tate was a catch. But me? “Even CUPID was stumped by me.”

“Yes, you.” He lightly nipped my neck. “And maybe CUPID led you straight to me. I’ve never met anyone with as big a heart as yours, who cares as deeply. You’re hot, sexy, amazing…”

I cut him off with a fit of laughter. “I’m already yours.”

“I know.” He kissed me soundly on the mouth. “But I’m going to keep on making sure you know it. Deal?”

“Deal.” I kissed him back. Funny how he’d only been back in my life for a matter of days, and now he felt like home. Like my whole future too. TNT. Together forever.

Epilogue

One Year Later

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